Sugar crisis being politicised: Tunabuna

Minister for Agriculture, Waterways and Sugar Industry Tomasi Tunabuna has accused parties of using the sugarcane harvesting standoff as a political tool ahead of the 2026 General Election.

Speaking at a press conference in Suva yesterday, Mr Tunabuna told farmers not to let politics dictate the future of the industry.

He added the sugar industry had long been used as a political playground, particularly with elections approaching.

"I believe that if we really look at what the government is actually doing, and what the people have been informed on what we have to demand from the government, I think it is just that at this time, unfortunately, we have a crisis in fuel," he said.

"I think when the election is coming, people would want to use that as a political tool."

Mr Tunabuna said demands for a higher guaranteed cane price of $110 per tonne had only emerged in the past two months, despite the current $85 rate being set in 2018.

Permanent Secretary for Agriculture, Waterways and Sugar Industry Andrew Tukana echoed the Minister's concerns, saying the timing of the demands was linked to the upcoming election.

"As the Honourable Minister has mentioned, it's coming close to election, so a lot of people are using to gain leverage for political aspiration," Mr Tukana said.

He urged all stakeholders to allow "good sense" to prevail so crushing could proceed, warning Fiji risked losing its sugar export markets if mills remained idle.